Scottish superstar joins host of celebrities to give up sweets for Lent
Susan Boyle is backing a Scots aid agency – by resisting her sweet tooth and giving up sweets for a month.
The Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund’s (Sciaf) Wee Box appeal asks the public to give up something for the 40 days of Lent – and donate the proceeds of what that treat would cost to the charity.
This year’s appeal tells the story of the charity’s work with women farmers in Africa and every pound received before the 17 May will be doubled by the UK government.
Boyle was joined by broadcaster Kaye Adams (who’s giving up cheesy oatcakes) and X Factor finalist Nicholas McDonald (who’s doing without crisps).
They took part in a Q&A session with young Sciaf supporters from Holyrood Secondary Glasgow, St Aiden’s High Wishaw, St Columba’s High Gourock, St John’s Academy Perth, St Andrew’s Primary Kilmarnock and St Francis Xavier’s Primary Falkirk.
For many people, life is so tough that they dream of just having enough food to eat - Susan Boyle
The celebrities then posed for photos with giant Wee Boxes, pairs of farm tools and bags of seeds to highlight what donations will buy and that they’re being doubled.
Boyle said: “For many people, life is so tough that they dream of just having enough food to eat, being able to cloth their children and send them to school.
“I’ve been supporting SCIAF all of my life because I know that they help the poorest of the poor to have food and support themselves.”
Other high profile Scots backing the campaign include adventurer Mark Beaumont, Premier League star and Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher, Deacon Blue’s Ricky Ross and long-time supporter Ally McCoist. Last year the appeal raised over £800,000.
SCIAF’s director Alistair Dutton said: “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone for supporting our Lent appeal. Whether it’s giving a donation, putting on an event, or filling a WEE BOX with small change, every penny will be doubled.
“That means that we can help many more people to free themselves from hunger and poverty.”
